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My First Book of Caterpillars, butterflies and moths
R170.00My First Book of Southern African Caterpillars, butterflies and moths is the newest title in this highly successful children’s series. Beautifully illustrated, the book introduces 56 species of southern African caterpillars and their adult butterfly or moth. Young children will learn about the fascinating life cycle of these insects and the important role they play in pollination. Each page features a striking outsize illustration of a caterpillar plus the adult insect it will eventually become. Simple text describes each species, and clear visual clues show size, pupa shape, and whether the insect is dangerous.
This lively book will appeal to both pre-readers and those beginning to read and is sure to be a welcome addition to a young nature lover’s bookshelf.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Proteas of the Fynbos
R360.00Proteas are South Africa’s wildflower celebrities: the King Protea is emblazoned on the National Coat of Arms and gives its name to the country’s cricket team.A total of 330 protea species are found in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region – the botanical treasure house at the southern tip of Africa.Proteas of the Fynbos features 165 of the region’s more common or showy species, with pointers to many more. Each species account details diagnostic features, flowering times, habitats and distribution, while colour photographs showcase the beauty and diversity of this charismatic plant group. An informative introduction explores the biology, pollination, origin and conservation status of fynbos proteas, and highlights features to aid identification.Arranged in groups and subgroups for easy identification, this innovative guide enables flower enthusiasts to confidently identify over half of all fynbos protea species. -
South African Indigenous Garden Plants: The Gardener’s Guide
R900.00This beautifully illustrated large-format book showcases some 2,400 South African indigenous plants, making it a comprehensive guide to the range of local plants available to gardeners to transform their outdoor spaces.
An Introduction lays the groundwork, covering climate, various garden styles, spatial planning and garden maintenance, as well as giving suggestions for attracting wildlife to the garden.
The encyclopaedic Plant Catalogue forms the bulk of the book. Plants are grouped by growth form into 13 chapters, from bulbs, orchids and aloes through to shrubs, grasses, trees and fynbos. The introduction to each group provides essential information on the selection, planting and feeding of the species, and gives tips on growing and maintaining them in the garden or in containers.
Following each introduction is an extensive catalogue of species, pairing full-colour photographs with brief descriptions that cover size, shape, flowering times and best growing conditions.
The book concludes with a handy Plant Selector, which helps gardeners to choose the most appropriate plants for species areas or functions in their garden or home.
Compiled and edited over several years by an expert team, this easy-to-use reference introduces a host of new and exciting possibilities for gardens and gardeners, both locally and across the globe.
Destined to become a standard reference for gardeners, horticulturists, nurserymen, landscapers and plant lovers.
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Tracker Manual
R500.00Featuring all-new spoor drawings, some 200 new photographs, and an extra 35 species, this fully revised and updated edition of the ever-popular Tracker Manual is packed with the latest on the art of tracking. Based on information developed by some of southern Africa’s best traditional trackers, Tracker Manual gives even more guidance on how to identify the spoor of some 190 animal species. Individual chapters cover carnivores, large mammals, antelopes, small mammals, primates, hares and rodents, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and insects. Each account contains:- Simple, bulleted text on key points of each animal’s tracks
- Clear, accurate track drawings
- Numerous informative photographs, sometimes annotated
- A list of similar tracks (where applicable) to avoid misidentification.
An instructive introduction describes the science of tracking and outlines what to look for in the field, while a quick-reference table compares tracks that are easily confused. This detailed and richly illustrated manual to the region’s most common animal tracks and signs will prove invaluable in the field. -
Veld: Gardens & Landscapes of Patrick Watson
R850.00Patrick Watson is currently South Africa’s most innovative and versatile landscape architect. Known for designing extensive mega-sites, such as Sun City and an entire Indian Ocean Island, he is also the creator of exquisite small home gardens and quiet spaces for reflection, such as at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. A highly sought-after designer, he has created over 200 gardens in Africa and many others elsewhere.
He seldom works from carefully drawn plans, instead combining artistic intuition with extensive botanical knowledge and a deep concern for the conservation and restoration of nature. His projects are creative, fresh with inspiration, and often bold, and he uses mostly indigenous plants, colours, landforms and space to create visual and emotional experiences.
Covering 23 gardens and landscapes, and richly supported by exquisite photographs and specially commissioned artworks, Veld is a beautiful tribute to a remarkable talent and visionary whose work is deeply informed by nature. It recognises and celebrates the combination of knowledge, skill and instinct that make up the man, and the radical influence he has had on his profession, and the landscapes he has restored.
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Newman’s Birds by Colour (New Ed)
R500.00Newman’s Birds by Colour offers beginner birders a quick and simple way to identify southern Africa’s most common birds using colour as a starting point.
Now in its fourth edition, this handy illustrated guide has been updated to include the latest common names, expanded habitat information, and up-to-date distribution maps. An informative introduction provides practical tips for identifying birds, and includes information on bird anatomy and classification, and guidance on where to look for birds and what you need to go birding. -
My First Book of Southern African Frogs – New Edition
R180.00Frogs are appealing and colourful creatures and live just about anywhere, even in deserts. My first book of Southern African Frogs introduces 55 different types of frog and their calls – made instantly accessible in this new edition by scanning a QR code.
A short introduction outlines the main features of frogs and includes an illustration detailing their life cycle. For each species, there is:
- a short description in four languages, describing the frog’s main characteristics
- a full-colour illustration of the frog, and visual clues to its size and eggs
- a distribution map
- an illustrated habitat bar with an arrow to indicate where each frog is likely to be found
This charming introduction to frogs and their calls will keep children happily absorbed for hours. The parallel translations make this book suitable for mother-tongue learners in four official languages and those children wanting to improve their knowledge of a second or third language.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (5th)
R580.00Ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar as Sasol Voëls van Suider Afrika (5de uitgawe)
Now in its fifth edition, Sasol Birds of Southern Africa has been brought fully up to date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from two new birding experts. Greatly enhanced, this comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa’s most trusted field guides.
Key features of the 5th revised edition:
More than 800 new illustrations
Scan and play bird calls using free downloadable app
Fully revised text (with latest species records), maps and plate annotations
Fresh input from new contributing authors
Comprehensive coverage of the region’s birds -
Wildlife of Namibia: A Photographic Guide
R400.00Namibia is a fascinating land of contrasts, where floodplains, swamps and the world’s oldest desert have contributed to a rich biodiversity. Wildlife of Namibia is an easy-to-use guide to the country’s most conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants.
The book includes:
-  An informative introduction to the country’s geography, climate and vegetation
- Accounts describing each species’ appearance, habits, size and conservation status, as well as information on habitat and best viewing localities
- Full-colour photographs of each species, along with distribution maps to show their range
- This all-in-one compact guide will prove invaluable to visitors to national parks, nature reserves and other wildlife-rich places in Namibia.
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Wildlife of Southern Africa
R470.00This long-standing, trusted field guide to the wildlife of southern Africa has been comprehensively updated and now includes distribution maps. It describes over 2,000 plants and animals, each accompanied by accurate illustrations in full colour. This book has been a trusted field companion for many years. Comprehensively updated, it now features range maps for most groups. The chapters are colour-coded for easy reference, and diagnostic features appear in bold type within the descriptions. Each chapter is written by a leading expert in the field.
All the main plant and animal groups are covered:
- Lower invertebrates
- Spiders and other arachnids
- Insects
- Freshwater fishes
- Frogs
- Reptiles
- Birds
- Mammals
- Grasses, hedges, ferns and fungi
- Wild flowers
- Trees
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101 Kruger Tales
R420.00This is a collection of 101 jaw-dropping stories, as told by the very people who experienced them – first-hand accounts of sightings, scrapes and encounters in one of Africa’s greatest National Parks. It details hair-raising experiences from the Kruger Park’s roads, camps, picnic sites and walking trails, such as:
• An enraged elephant flips a car onto its roof
• A lioness prises open a terrified couple’s car door
• A fleeing impala leaps through an open car window
• A hyaena snatches a baby from a tent
• A tourist takes a bath in a croc-infested dam…A bedside book, a travel companion, a dip-into, read-anywhere compilation of joyful encounters laced with terrible warnings. Wherever you are, this book will transport you directly into the bush.
CLICK HERE to visit the official 101 Kruger Tales website
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My First Book of Southern Africa Animal Tracks
R180.00My first book of Southern African Animal Tracks introduces 55 different types of animals and the footprints they leave behind. The animals and birds included are those that you are likely to find on visits to nature reserves or game parks – or even in gardens.
For each species featured, the book gives: Life-sized track ‘imprints’; A full-colour illustration of the animal and a visual size comparison with a human body, arm or hand; A short description in four languages of each creature and its prints.
This introduction to the intriguing world of tracking will keep children happily absorbed for hours at home or on trips to view wildlife. The text in four languages expands the readership and promotes multilingualism.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
R650.00NEW EDITION JULY 2013
This comprehensively updated and expanded edition of the region’s best-selling field guide to trees offers much, much more than the highly successful first edition. Fully updated text (including additional species entries) and distribution maps, numerous new photographs and a new 87-page section of full-tree photographs makes this well-loved guide even more indispensable in the field.
Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalised aliens. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on trees that are the most common and most likely to be encountered. Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the plant’s diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the plants.
Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans
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My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life
R180.00My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life was selected at one of Bookchat’s non-fiction books of the year for 2011.
My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life, which range in size from the earth’s largest animal – the blue whale – to the tiniest plankton.
* vibrantly colourful, detailed, accurate illustrations of each creature
* short, accessible texts with information that will satisfy the curiosity of both those who are learning to read and of young listeners
* simple pictograms that show at a glance where each species can be found, what it eats and its relative sizeAll text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Creepy-Crawlies
R180.00My First Book of Southern African Creepy-crawlies is the newest title in this very successful children’s series, and a companion to its sister edition on Southern African Insects. The book covers 58 spiders, snails, millipedes and other creatures (excluding insects) that are likely to be seen around the home and garden.
An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each page features:
* a vivid, full-colour illustration
* clear, informative text and visual clues for both pre- and beginner readers
* simple graphics conveying the creature’s size, what it eats and when it is activeThis inspiring and beautifully illustrated book will introduce everyday creatures to both pre-readers and those beginning to read in their mother tongue.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Seashore Life
R180.00My First Book of Southern African Seashore Life presents 58 sea creatures and plants that are likely to be seen at the shore.
An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then for each species there’s:
* a vivid, full-colour illustration
* simple, informative text
* visual clues about the creatures’ diet, size, distribution round our coast, locomotion and exactly where they live relative to the water line.This beautiful and inspiring introduction to southern Africa’s shores will appeal to children – and parents – of all ages.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My first book of Southern African Wildlife
R370.00My first book of Southern African Wildlife introduces the young reader to a selection of southern Africa’s most commonly seen and fascinating wildlife species. Divided into three sections, the title covers 58 mammals, 58 birds and 56 reptiles, with an illustrated introduction to each section that gives context to the information. Highly visual with full-colour illustrations of each creature, the book also features line drawings indicating what food they eat, what spoor they leave, etc.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern African Birds V2
R180.00Following the success of My first book of Southern African Birds– a very first guide to birding – volume 2 introduces a further 58 fascinating birds found at the seashore, rivers and lakes, in grasslands and forests, and also in suburban gardens. A brief introduction explains how the book works and provides simple guidelines for watching birds, then each page introduces a new bird. Most of the information is visual, in the form of full-colour bird illustrations and line drawings of food eaten, typical nest and the bird’s track. A visual guide to the bird’s size is given at the base of the page.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Insects
R180.00Children are fascinated by ‘bugs’ of all kinds, and insects are a familiar part of their everyday environment. Dragonflies and ants, beetles and stick insects, butterflies and bees are just some of the many insects that are found in the home and garden, providing youngsters with a handy introduction to the natural world.
My First Book of Southern African Insects offers:
* 58 of the most common, intriguing and beautiful species accurately illustrated in full-colour
* concise text and simple graphics conveying the insect’s size, when it is active and what it eats
* straightforward text for children beginning to read in their mother tongueAll text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of East African Birds
R180.00My First Book Of East African Birds introduces children to the birds most commonly seen in gardens and wildlife areas in East Africa. The 58 birds are featured in full-colour illustrations, with visual clues to each bird’s size, the food it eats, its nest and the footprint it leaves behind. This lively approach will appeal to young readers, as well as to learners of all ages who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.
All text appears in English, Swahili, German and French.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Mammals
R180.00Mammals come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny bats and mice to massive elephants and whales. My First Book of Southern African Mammals introduces a cross-section of southern African mammals – 58 animals illustrated in full colour, along with simple text and visual clues as to the animals’ size, their tracks and what they eat. Written by a mammal specialist, My first book of Southern African Mammals will appeal to young readers, as well as to learners of all ages who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Snakes & Reptiles
R180.00Children are both fascinated by, and afraid of, snakes and other reptiles, making them a receptive market for this topic. My First Book of Southern African Snakes and Other Reptiles introduces 56 different species. Accurate, full-colour illustrations accompany concise text and simple graphics that depict where the reptile lives, what it eats, how it reproduces, and how big it is when fully grown. In addition to snakes, the book also features lizards, geckos, skinks, tortoises and turtles – of all shapes and sizes, whether dangerous, harmless or rare. The clear text is geared for young readers (aged 3–8); parallel translations make this book suitable for mother-tongue learners in four official languages, as well as for older children and adults wanting to improve their knowledge of a second or third language.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern African Birds V1
R180.00A very first guide to birds for children aged 3 to 7, this book presents 56 of the most striking and commonly seen southern African birds. After a brief introduction that explains how the book works and provides simple guidelines for watching birds, each new page introduces a new bird. Most of the information supplied is visual, in the form of a full colour illustration of the bird and line drawings of food eaten, typical nest and the bird’s track. A visual guide to the bird’s size is given at the base of the page.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
